Microwave Spectrum of 3-Butyne-1-thiol: Evidence for Intramolecular S−H···π Hydrogen Bonding

The microwave spectrum of 3-butyne-1-thiol has been studied by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations employing the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd), and G3 methods. Rotational transitions attributable to two conformers of this molecule were assigned. One of these conformers possesses an antiperiplanar arrangement of the atoms S-C1-C2-C3, while the other is synclinal and stabilized by the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the H-atom of the thiol group and the pi-electrons of the C[triple bond]C triple bond. The energy difference between these conformers was estimated to be 1.7(4) kJ mol(-1) by relative intensity measurements, with the hydrogen-bonded conformer being lower in energy. The spectra of five vibrationally excited states of the synclinal conformer were observed, and an assignment of these states to particular vibrational modes was made with the aid of a density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the vibrational frequencies at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level of theory.

Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Study of the Novel Compound Cyclopropylmethylselenol

An investigation into the properties of the novel compound cyclopropylmethylselenol has been undertaken by use of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and high-level quantum chemical calculations. Ground-state spectra belonging to six isotopomers of a single conformer of the molecule were recorded and assigned. This conformer, predicted to be the lowest in energy by a series of quantum chemical calculations, possesses a synclinal arrangement of the H-C-C-Se atoms. In addition to the assignment of these ground-state spectra, transitions attributable to vibrationally excited states of the 78Se- and 80Se-containing isotopomers were identified. A tentative assignment of these excited-state spectra to specific vibrational modes has been made with the assistance of a density functional theory calculation at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level of theory. Close agreement was found between experimental ground-state rotational constants and ab initio equilibrium values calculated at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Good agreement was also noted between certain r(s) principal axis coordinates of atoms in the molecule and the corresponding ab initio r(e) values. Limited evidence in favor of the formation of a weak intramolecular hydrogen bond between the H atom of the selenol group and electron density associated with the cyclopropyl ring is discussed.

Protonation thermochemistry of aminoacetonitrile

The gas-phase basicity (GB) of aminoacetonitrile (NH2CH2CN, 1) has been determined from measurement of proton transfer equilibrium constants in an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (GB(1) = 789.3 +/- 1.0 kJ x mol(-1)). Molecular orbital calculations up to the G2 level demonstrate that protonation occurs preferentially on the nitrogen atom of the NH2 group, and provide a theoretical proton affinity (PA(1)) of 824.0 kJ x mol(-1). Exact calculation of the entropy associated with hindered rotations and consideration of Boltzman distribution of conformers allow a theoretical estimate of the molar protonation entropy S degrees (1H+) - S degrees (1) = 8.6 J x mol(-1) x K(-1). Combining this value with experimental GB(1) leads to an 'experimental' proton affinity of 819.2 kJ x mol(-1), in close agreement with the G2 expectation.

The ground-state rotational spectrum and molecular geometry of ethynylstannane

The ground-state rotational spectra of 24 isotopomers of ethynylstannane have been observed by pulsed-jet, Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. The spectroscopic constants, B(0,)D(J) and D(JK) are reported for symmetric-top isotopomers H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122 and 124, D(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124, H(3)(n)Sn(13)C(12) CH and H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(13)CH , where n = 116,118 and 120, and H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CD, where n = 116, 118 and 120. In addition, the values of A(0), B(0), C(0), Delta(J) and Delta(JK) were obtained for the three asymmetric-top isotopomers DH(2)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 118 and 120. Hyperfine structure was resolved and assigned in the transitions of the isotopomers H(3)(n)SnCCD, where n = 116, 118 and 120, and in the isotopomers H(3)(117)SnCCH and H(3)(119)SnCCH. In the former group, the hyperfine structure arises from D nuclear quadrupole coupling while in the latter group its origin lies in the spin-rotation coupling of the I = 1/2 Sn nuclear spin to the rotational motion. For these isotopomers, D nuclear quadrupole and spin-rotation coupling constants are determined where appropriate. The rotational constants obtained for the 24 isotopomers of H(3)SnCCH were used to obtain the following types of molecular geometry for ethynylstannane: r(0), r(s), and r(m).

Conformational Composition of Cyclopentadienylphosphine Investigated by Microwave Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

The properties of cyclopentadienylphosphine have been investigated by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), and G3 levels of theory. Spectra attributable to two rotamers denoted conformers I and II have been assigned. Conformer I has a symmetry plane (Cs symmetry) consisting of the bisectors of the cyclopentadiene ring and of the phosphino group with the lone electron pair of phosphorus pointing toward the carbon ring. In conformer II, the phosphino group is rotated approximately 120 degrees out of this plane. Relative intensity measurements have been made, and it was found that conformer II is more stable than I by 1.3(4) kJ/mol. The preferred conformer represents a borderline case of intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilization. The experimental and MP2/ aug-cc-pVTZ rotational constants differ by several percent, which indicates that the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set is not large enough to be able to predict an accurate structure for the two conformers that are close to the equilibrium geometries. 5-Substituted 1,3-cyclopentadienyl derivatives may undergo circumambulatory rearrangements. However, there is no manifestation of this effect in the microwave spectrum of cyclopentadienylphosphine.

Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Study of Cyclopropylmethylphosphine, a Candidate for Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding

The properties of the novel compound cyclopropylmethylphosphine (C3H5CH2PH2) have been investigated by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and high-level quantum chemical calculations. Spectra attributable to the three conformers of the molecule with a synclinal arrangement of the H-C-C-P atoms were recorded and assigned. The experimental rotational constants obtained for these conformers were found to be in good agreement with those generated by ab initio geometry optimizations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. An estimate of the relative energies of the three conformers with observable spectra, by means of relative intensity measurements, compared favorably with the results of G3 energy calculations performed for the molecule. In addition to the observation of ground-state rotational spectra for three conformers, spectra belonging to a number of vibrationally excited states were also assigned with the aid of radio frequency microwave double-resonance experiments. A tentative assignment of these excited-state spectra was proposed by appealing to the results of density functional theory vibrational frequency calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-311++(3df,2pd) level. The energetically preferred conformer of the molecule allowed a close approach between a hydrogen atom belonging to the phosphino group and the edge of the cyclopropyl ring. The possibility of the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond to electron density associated with so-called banana bonds is discussed.

Infrared Spectra of a Species of Astrochemical Interest: Aminoacrylonitrile (3-Amino-2-propenenitrile)

Ammonia easily reacts on cyanoacetylene in the gas phase or in a solvent to form the Z- and E-isomers of aminoacrylonitrile (3-amino-2-propenenitrile, 2). This kinetically stable enamine presents interest for its possible presence in the interstellar medium, the comets, the atmospheres of Planets including the Primitive Earth, and from a theoretical point of view. B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) and G2 calculations indicate that the imine isomer is significantly less stable than the enamine 2. DFT and G2 calculations indicate that the Z-isomer of compound 2 lies ca. 8.0 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy than the E-isomer. The infrared spectra of the aminoacrylonitrile, in both the gas and condensed phases were recorded in the range 500-4000 cm(-1). Consistent with the theoretical calculations, the imine and the E-isomer of the enamine have never been detected in the infrared spectrum of a gaseous sample and only the Z-isomer has been observed. With a neat sample in the condensed phase, IR spectra of a 1:1 and 20:1/Z:E mixtures were recorded. The comparison of these data with the spectrum of the Z-isomer in the gas phase allowed us to deduce the IR spectrum of the E-isomer. The E-Z isomerization takes place through a torsion around the C=C bond. A possible mechanism involving a previous enamine-imine tautomerism must be discarded because it implies a much larger barrier than the direct isomerization process. Consistently, the presence of a deuterium atom has not been observed on the sp2 carbon of the products of distillation of a 1:1/E:Z mixture of the NCCH=CHND2.

Structural and conformational properties of 2-propenylgermane (allylgermane) studied by microwave and infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

The structural and conformational properties of allylgermane have been investigated using Stark and Fourier transform microwave spectroscopies, infrared spectroscopy, and high-level quantum chemical calculations. The parent species H2C=CHCH2GeH3 was investigated by microwave spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, while three deuterated species, namely, H2C=CDCH2GeH3, H2C=CHCHDGeH3, and H2C=CHCH2GeD3, were studied only by infrared spectroscopy. The microwave spectra of the ground vibrational state as well as of the first excited state of the torsion vibration around the sp2-sp3 carbon-carbon bond were assigned for the 70Ge, 72Ge, and 74Ge isotopomers of one conformer. This rotamer has an anticlinal arrangement for the C=C-C-Ge chain of atoms. The infrared spectrum of the gas in the 500-4000 cm(-1) range has been assigned. No evidence of additional rotameric forms other than anticlinal was seen in the microwave and infrared spectra. Several different high-level ab initio and density functional theory calculations have been performed. These calculations indicate that a less stable form, having a synperiplanar conformation of the C=C-C-Ge link of atoms, may coexist with the anticlinal form. The energy differences between the synperiplanar and anticlinal forms were calculated to be 5.6-9.2 kJ/mol depending on the computational procedure. The best approximation of the equilibrium structure of the anticlinal rotamer was found in the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. The barrier to internal rotation of the germyl group was found to be 6.561(17) kJ/mol, from measurements of the splitting of microwave transitions caused by tunneling of the germyl group through its threefold barrier.

Acidity Trends in α,β-Unsaturated Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium Derivatives: Comparison with C-, Si-, Ge-, Sn-, N-, P-, As-, and Sb-Containing Analogues

The gas-phase acidity of CH3-CH2XH (X=S, Se, Te), CH2=CHXH (X=S, Se, Te) and PhXH (X=S, Se) compounds was measured by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. To analyze the role that unsaturation plays on the intrinsic acidity of these systems, a parallel theoretical study, in the framework of the G2 and the G2(MP2) theories, was carried out for all ethyl, ethenyl (vinyl), ethynyl, and phenyl O-, S-, Se-, and Te-containing derivatives. Unsaturated compounds are stronger acids than their saturated analogues, because of the strong pi-electron donor ability of the heteroatoms that contributes to a large stabilization of the unsaturated anions. Ethynyl derivatives are stronger acids than vinyl compounds, while phenyl derivatives have an intrinsic acidity intermediate between that of the corresponding vinyl and ethynyl analogues. The CH2=CHXH vinyl compounds (enol-like) behave systematically as slightly stronger acids than their CH3-C(H)X (keto-like) tautomers. Vinyl derivatives are stronger acids than ethyl compounds, because the anion stabilization attributable to unsaturation is greater than that undergone in the neutral compounds. Conversely, the enhanced acidity of the ethynyl derivatives with respect to the vinyl compounds is due to two concomitant effects, the stabilization of the anion and the destabilization of the neutral compound. The acidities of ethyl, vinyl, and ethynyl derivatives containing heteroatoms of Groups 14, 15, and 16 of the periodic table are closely related, and reflect the differences in electronegativity of the CH3CH2-, CH2=CH-, and CH[triple chemical bond]C- groups.

Structural and Conformational Properties of 1,2-Propadienylphosphine (Allenylphosphine) Studied by Microwave Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

1,2-Propadienylphosphine (allenylphosphine), H(2)C=C=CHPH(2), has been investigated by Stark and Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Two rotameric forms denoted syn and gauche have been assigned. The syn form has a symmetry plane (C(s)() symmetry) where the lone electron pair of phosphorus points toward the double bonds. The phosphino group is rotated roughly 120 degrees from this position in the gauche rotamer. The dipole moment of syn was determined to be mu(a) = 1.613(23), mu(b) = 2.347(24), mu(c) = 0 (for symmetry reasons), and mu(tot) = 2.848(28) x 10(-30) C m [0.854(8) D]. The energy difference between the two forms was found to be 2.1(4) kJ/mol from relative intensity measurements with syn as the more stable conformer. Extensive quantum chemical calculations have been carried out and accurate equilibrium structures have been determined for these two rotamers, as well as for the corresponding two conformers of vinylphosphine (H(2)C=CHPH(2)).

Alkenyl Selenols and Selenocyanates: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization by Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Quantum Chemical Study

Vinyl, allyl, and homoallyl selenols were easily prepared by a chemoselective reduction of the corresponding selenocyanates with aluminum hydrides. Two stable vinyl and five stable allyl conformers of both series were predicted on the potential-energy surface. The interaction of SeH or SeCN groups with the vinyl group has been investigated with UV photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, using the MP2/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels. In the vinyl derivatives, a surprisingly strong direct conjugation of the selenium lone electron pair and the C=C double bond was observed. On the other hand, in allyl position the selenium lone pair is independent on the C=C double bond, and the hyperconjugation between the Se-C bond and the double bond is the ruling effect. Thus is clarified the type and extent of the interaction between the SeH or SeCN group and the unsaturated moiety.

Ring-closing metathesis in biphasic BMI·PF6ionic liquid/toluene medium: a powerful recyclable and environmentally friendly process

Biphasic BMI[middle dot]PF(6)/toluene solvent is a remarkably suitable and clean medium for performing olefin metathesis with a new 2nd generation ionic liquid supported-ruthenium catalyst: high levels of recyclability and reusability combined with a high reactivity were obtained with a variety of di- or tri-substituted and/or oxygen-containing dienes, and very low residual ruthenium levels were detected (1 to 22 ppm) in the products.

An ionic liquid-supported ruthenium carbene complex: a robust and recyclable catalyst for ring-closing olefin metathesis in ionic liquids

The synthesis of an ionic liquid-supported olefin metathesis catalyst derived from Grubb's ruthenium carbene complex is described. This new supported catalyst has been used in BMI.PF6 solvent, and this allowed success in solving the challenging problem of catalyst recycling. The IL catalyst in BMI.PF6 can be recovered and reused up to 10 consecutive cycles in RCM reactions of several dienes with excellent conversions. Moreover, the IL catalyst shows a remarkable stability in BMI.PF6 and can be stored several months without loss of activity. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of anchoring an imidazolium ionic liquid pattern to the catalyst to avoid its leaching from the BMI.PF6 phase.

Is allylphosphine a carbon or a phosphorus base in the gas phase?

The gas-phase basicity of allylphosphine (2-propenylphosphine) was measured by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry techniques. A complete survey of the allylphosphine-H(+) potential energy surface, carried out through the use of high-level G2(MP2) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) calculations, allows us to conclude that, under low-pressure, low-energy ICR conditions, the interaction between the protonated reference base, B(ref)H(+), and allylphosphine leads to a complex in which B(ref)H(+) attaches to the phosphorus atom of allylphosphine, where the electrostatic potential is strongly attractive. Hence, in the first step only the phosphorus protonated species should be formed. Its isomerization to yield the C(beta)-protonated form, which is the global minimum of the potential energy surface, implies a very high activation barrier that cannot be overtaken under normal experimental ICR conditions. Therefore, the main conclusion of our study is that allylphosphine behaves as a phosphorus base in the gas phase, even though the C(beta)-protonated structure is the most stable protonated species. We have also shown that both C(beta)- and C(gamma)-protonation triggers a cyclization of the system. An analysis of the bonding of the different protonated species as compared with that of the neutral system is presented.

The gas-phase acidity of HCP, CH3CP, HCAs, and CH3CAs: an unexpected enhanced acidity of the methyl group

The gas-phase acidities of methylidynephosphine, HCtbond;P, ethylidynephosphine, CH(3)Ctbond;P, and ethylidynearsine, CH(3)Ctbond;As, have been measured by means of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry and calculated at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df,2p)//QCISD/ 6-311+G(df,p) level of theory. An analysis of these results shows that, in contrast to the well-known fact that HCtbond;N is a stronger acid than CH(3)Ctbond;N, CH(3)Ctbond;P and CH(3)Ctbond;As are more acidic than HCtbond;P and HCtbond;As, respectively. The most important consequence of this unexpected effect is that while HCtbond;P and HCtbond;As are found to be weaker acids than HCtbond;N, the opposite trend is found for the corresponding methyl derivatives, the acidity of which increases as CH(3)Ctbond;N<CH(3)Ctbond;P<CH(3)Ctbond;As. Also the effects of deprotonation on the structures and the vibrational frequencies of HCtbond;X and CH(3)Ctbond;X (X=N, P, As) compounds are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively very different for nitrogen- as compared with phosphorus- and arsenic-containing compounds. A rationalization of these differences in terms of the bonding differences is presented.

Photochemical cycloaddition reactions of cyanoacetylene and dicyanoacetylene

Photolysis of cyanoacetylene with 185- or 206-nm light yields 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene while 254-nm radiation yields a mixture of tetracyanocyclooctatetraenes, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene. A polymer of cyanoacetylene is the major photoproduct. 1,3,5-Tricarbomethoxybenzene was the only photoproduct identified from the irradiation of methyl propiolate at 254 nm. Mono-, di-, and tricyanobenzenes are formed by irradiation of mixtures of acetylene and cyanoacetylene at 185, 206, and 254 nm along with trace amounts of cyclooctatetraenes. No photoadducts were detected on photolysis of mixtures of cyanoacetylene and CO or HCN. The tetracyanocyclooctatetraene structures were established by UV, MS, and NMR analyses. The 1H NMR of the product mixture exhibited a singlet at delta 7.028 consistent with either 1 or 2 and two singlets at delta 6.85 and 6.91 assigned to 3. Photolysis of mixtures of dicyanoacetylene and acetylene with either 185- or 206-nm light yielded 1,2-dicyanobenzene and (E,Z)-1-buten-3-yne-1,4-dicarbonitrile. These products were also obtained using 254-nm light along with a mixture of tetracyanocyclooctatetraenes. The same three singlets were observed in this product mixture as were observed in the tetracyanocyclooctatetraenes obtained from cyanoacetylene. From this observation it was concluded that the delta 7.02 signal is due to 2 and not 1. The photolysis of cyanoacetylene and dicyanoacetylene in the presence of ethylene with 185-nm light yields 1-cyanocylobutene and 1,2-dicyanocyclobutene, respectively. 2-Cyanobutadiene and 2,3-dicyanobutadiene are the photoproducts with 254-nm light. Reaction pathways are proposed to explain these findings.

Structural and conformational properties of 2-propynylphosphine (propargylphosphine) as studied by microwave spectroscopy supplemented by quantum chemical calculations

The microwave spectrum of 2-propynylphosphine (propargylphosphine), H-C triple bond C-CH2-PH2, has been investigated in the 18-26.5 and 32-48 GHz spectral regions at about -50 degrees C. Two conformers with different orientation of the phosphino group, denoted conformer I and conformer II, respectively, were assigned. Conformer I has a symmetry plane (Cs symmetry) with both hydrogen atoms of the phosphino group pointing toward the triple bond (C-C-P-H dihedral angles approximately 47 degrees from syn-periplanar (0 degrees )). The C-C-P-H dihedral angles are 73 and 167 degrees, respectively, from syn-periplanar in conformer II. Only one of the hydrogen atoms of the phosphino group points toward the triple bond in this rotamer. Conformer I is 1.5(20) kJ/mol more stable than II. The dipole moment of II was determined to be (in units of 10(-30) C m) mu(a) = 0 (assumed), mu(b) = 3.05(7), mu(c) = 1.60(9), and mu(tot) = 3.44(9) [mu(tot) = 1.03(3) D]. Two vibrationally excited states were assigned for each of the two rotamers I and II. Their frequencies were determined by relative intensity measurements. Many of the transitions of conformer II were split into two components presumably because of tunneling of the phosphino group. The tunneling frequency was determined to be 0.814(42) MHz for the ground vibrational state and 11.49(18) MHz for the first excited state of the C-P torsional vibration. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory using the 6-311++G(3df,2pd) basis set reproduced experimental rotational constants, quartic centrifugal distortion constants, and dipole moment components within a few percent. The energy difference between the two conformers was calculated using the Gaussian-2 theory, and conformer I was found to be more stable than conformer II by 2.1 kJ/mol.

Acidity trends in alpha,beta-unsaturated alkanes, silanes, germanes, and stannanes

The gas-phase acidity of ethyl-, vinyl-, ethynyl-, and phenyl-substituted silanes, germanes, and stannanes has been measured by means of FT-ICR techniques. The effect of unsaturation on the intrinsic acidity of these compounds and the corresponding hydrocarbons was analyzed through the use of G2 ab initio and DFT calculations. In this way, it was possible to get a general picture of the acidity trends within group 14. As expected, the acid strength increases down the group, although the acidity differences between germanium and tin derivatives are already rather small. As has been found before for amines, phosphines, and arsines, the carbon, silicon, germanium, and tin alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds are stronger acids( )than their saturated analogues. The acidifying effect of unsaturation is much larger for carbon than for Si-, Ge-, and Sn-containing compounds. The allyl anion is better stabilized by resonance than its Si, Ge, and Sn analogues, [CH(2)(-)(delta)--CH(+)(delta)(') --CH(2)(-)(delta)](-) vs [CH(2)(-)(delta)()II = CH(-)(delta)()III - XH(2)(-)(delta)()IV](-) (X = Si, Ge, Sn). The enhanced acid strength of unsaturated compounds is essentially due to a greater stabilization of the anion with respect to the neutral, because the electronegativity of the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbon group increases with its degree of unsaturation. The phenyl derivatives are systematically weaker acids than the corresponding ethynyl derivatives by 15-20 kJ mol(-)(1). Experimentally, toluene acidity is very close to that of propyne, because the deprotonation of propyne takes place preferentially at the =CH group rather than at the -CH(3) group.

Partial pressures and nature of products. Application to the photolysis of PH3 and NH3 in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn

The photolysis of mixtures of gases containing NH3 or PH3 presents important differences mainly due to the strength of the X-H bond. On some examples, these differences are evidenced and the consequences for mixtures of gases containing these two compounds are shown: the photolysis of ammonia and ethylene mainly gives ethyl-, butyl- and hexylamine whereas the photolysis of phosphine and ethylene leads to ethyl- and vinylphosphine. When gaseous mixtures of NH3, PH3 and ethylene are photolyzed together, the presence of phosphine dramatically decreases the formation of nitrogen derivatives. The relevance of such lab studies to the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn is discussed.

Synthesis of Functionalized Deuterioallylic Compounds

Functionalized deuterioallylic compounds were efficiently prepared by reaction of the corresponding propargylic derivative with the Schwartz reagent followed by hydrolysis of the adduct with D(2)O. The Z-3-deuterio-2-propenylstannane, prepared in pure form for the first time, is a useful reagent for the preparation of deuterioallylic compounds which cannot be synthesized by hydrozirconation of the corresponding derivatives.